Recloseable calking cartridge nozzles

ABSTRACT

Recloseable calking cartridge nozzles having an elongate, sealed thermoplastic spout and an associated closure attached to the spout. After the spout has been cut to allow a portion of the calking material contained within the cartridge to exit through the spout, the associated closure overfits the spout to reseal the cartridge until further use is desired. The nozzle and closure integrally connect to form a hanger for store display and home storage purposes.

Unite States Patent [191 Marg et a1.

[ July 3,1973

[ RECLOSEABLE CALKING CARTRIDGE NOZZLES [76] Inventors: Donald B. Marg,Mary Kay Lane,

Glenview, 111.; Charles M. Marg, l5 Greenhill Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.19151 [22] Filed: June 18, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 152,971

[52] U.S. Cl 222/180, 206/D1G. 8, 220/85 R,

222/541 [51] Int. Cl B67d 5/06 [58] Field of Search 222/541, 543, 562,

222/563, 180, 325, 327; 206/DIG. 8, 47 R; 220/27, 31.5, 38.5; 229/510 B;215/99 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,831,615 4/1958Sherbondy 222/541 X 7/1958 Solomon ..220/31.5 12/1964 Lecluyse 222/541Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Larry MartinAttorney-Karl L. Spivak [57] ABSTRACT Recloseable calking cartridgenozzles having an elongate, sealed themioplastic spout and an associatedclosure attached to the spout. After the spout has been cut to allow aportion of the calking material contained within the cartridge to exitthrough the spout, the associated closure overfits the spout to resealthe cartridge until further use is desired. The nozzle and closureintegrally connect to form a hanger for store display and home storagepurposes.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJuL 3:915

INVENTORS DONALD B. MARG CHARLES M. MARG ATTORNEY RECLOSEABLE CALKINGCARTRIDGE NOZZLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates generally to the field of building maintenance supplies, andmore particularly is directed to improved calking cartridges which aregenerally employed in building construction and maintenance for calking,patching, sealing and other similar uses.

It has generally been the procedure to furnish sealing materials such ascalking compounds, spackling compounds, cement patching compounds andsimilar maintenance materials in cartridge form for use with thegenerally available calking gun. Such prior art cartridges have usuallybeen fabricated with cylindrical cardboard sidewalls having twoenclosing heads. One head thereof was adapted for depressing into theinterior of the cartridge for content driving purposes under impetussupplied by the calking gun. The other head of the presently availablecartridges terminates in a hollow nozzle which is usually fabricated ofa thermoplastic material such as polyethylene plastic. The nozzlecommunicates with the interior of the cartridge, is usually hollow andgenerally conical in configuration and terminates forwardly in a sealedtop. When it is desired to use the calking cartridge, and end tip isusually cut with a knife or other sharp implement at an angular relationto the axis of the cartridge to form an angular end to facilitateaccurate placing of the cartridge contents. Cutting the tip from thecartridge nozzle exposes the hollow interior of the nozzle and therebyallows the cartridge contents to exit through the severed tip.

It has been found that the present method of fabricating calkingcartridges presents no problem when the entire cartridge is used at onetime and is disposed upon consumption of the cartridge contents.However, in most instances, most jobs do not require the entirecartridge contents to be used at one time. Accordingly, once thecartridge nozzle top has been cut for use and the work has beencompleted, the additional material remaining can ooze out from the topwhen the cartridge gun is not in use and when the partly used cartridgeis stored. This creates a messy condition which is vexious and annoyingto the worker or homeowner who is using the calking cartridge.Additionally, it has has been found that after a cartridge tip has beencut open, this then allows air and the elements to enter the interior ofthe cartridge through the cut opening. If the cartridge is stored withthe contents exposed through the cut tip, for a considerable length oftime, the action of the elements tends to harden the remaining materialwithin the calking cartridge to thereby render it unusable forsatisfactory future use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to thefield of calking cartridges, and more particularly, is directed to anovel closure for rendering the nozzles of calking cartridges reclosableafter periods of use.

The instant device is directed to an attachment for presently availablecalking cartridge nozzles which is generally associated with thecartridge nozzle in a manner to become readily available once the nozzletop has been cut for use.

A closure of suitable configuration to overfit and cooperate with thecartridge nozzle is employed and may be molded of the same material asthe cartridge nozzle during the nozzle forming process. Preferably, theclosure is fab ricated with a flared bottom to readily insert over theopened cartridge nozzle for nozzle sealing purposes. In a modificationthereof, the flared closure may be affixed to the nozzle body by meansof a flexible cord or other device to render the closure readily available when it is desired to reclose the calking cartridge at the nozzlethereof.

As a second alternate means of construction, the cartridge nozzle may befabricated with a plurality of integral, flexible closures which lockupon the nozzle body to seal the opening in handy manner withoutrequiring the need for bulky, and cumbersome closures which mightpossibly intefere with the operation of the calking cartridge itself.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel,recloseable calking cartridge nozzle of the type set forth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel,reclosable calking cartridge nozzle having a closure affixed directly tothe cartridge nozzle at the forward end thereof which may be employedfor cartridge hanging purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel,reclosable calking cartridge nozzle which includes a closure having aflared bottom for readily overfitting the cartridge nozzle for nozzlesealing purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel,reclosable calking cartridge nozzle incorporating a closure separatefrom the cartridge nozzle, said closure having configuration to readilyoverfit and seal the cartridge nozzle once it has been opened.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel,reclosable calking cartridge nozzle including integral, compact, nozzlesealing means suitable to reseal the cartridge nozzle once it has beenopened.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel,reclosable caulking cartridge nozzle that is inexpensive in manufacture,simple in construction and trouble free when in use.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had byreferring to the following description and claims of a preferredembodiment thereof, taken into conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view ofa first embodiment of a nozzle and closure in accordance with thepresent invention with the nozzle in uncut condition suitable forhanging or display purposes.

FIG. 1A is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the nozzle severed to permituse of the calking cartridge.

FIG. 1B is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the closure in nozzleclosing position upon a previously severed nozzle.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of a calkingcartridge nozzle and closure with the nozzle in uncut condition.

FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the closure in nozzleoverfitting position to seal a previously severed nozzle.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of a calkingcartridge nozzle, the phantom lines illustrating the severed portion ofthe nozzle.

FIG. 3A is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a closure in use to seal thepreviously severed nozzle.

FIG. 4 is a partial, side elevational view of another embodiment havingutility for cartridge hanging purposes.

DESRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Althoughspecific terms are used in the following description for the sake ofclarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particularstructure of our invention selected for illustration in the drawings andare not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, we show in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B a nozzlewhich is affixed to the head 12 of a calking cartridge 14 in well knownmanner to permit the contents (not shown) of the calking cartridge toexit the cartridge under impetus of a calking gun (not shown) in wellknown manner once the forward end 16 of the nozzle 10 is severed by useof a knife or other sharp implement. In the embodiment illustrated, thenozzle 10 termiantes forwardly in an integral ring 18 which defines ahole 20 which finds utility for storage or display purposes prior tousing the cartridge 14.

An integral closure 22 forwardly connects to the ring 18 and is moldedor otherwise fabricated to provide hollow interior channel 24. The upperend of hollow channel 24 is fully closed in permanent manner by theintegral connection with the ring 18 in a manner to assure that thechannel 24 opens only downwardly. It is contemplated that the nozzle 10,the integral ring 18 and the attached closure 22 will all bemanufactured at the same time and from the same material to facilitatethe fabrication process. Preferably, a readily moldable plastic materialsuch as polyethylene can be employed for this purpose by using wellknown plastic molding practices. Preferably, the closure 22 terminatesdownwardly in a flared opening 26 to facilitate installation of theclosure 22 over the top of the nozzzle 10.

As best seen in FIG. 1A, it is the usual practice to sever the nozzle 10intermediate its length by preferably cutting the nozzle at an acuteangle to its longitudinal axis to thereby provide a slanted surface 28to aid in precisely applying the material from within the calkingcartridge 14. The severed end 30 of the nozzle 10 then lifts clear fromthe nozzle 10 and is no longer used in conjunction with the calkingcartridge 14. The nozzle interior channel 32 communicates with thecartridge 14 interior and may be employed in well known manner tofacilitate the application of the cartridge contents (not shown) in anydesired location. Referring now to FIG. 1B, after use of the calkingcartridge 14, the interior channel 32 may conveniently be reclosed byapplying the closure 22 over the nozzle 10 until the interiorconfiguration of the hollow channel 24 of the closure binds upon theexterior configuration of the nozzzle body 10. It will be noted that thesevered end 30 affixes to the closure 22, but is no longer of any use.In this manner, the nozzle interior channel 32 may be reclosed by theclosure 22 until it is again desired to use the callting cartridge 14.At that time, the closure 22, its integrally affixed ring 18 and severednozzle end 30 can be removed from the remaining portion of the nozzle toagain expose the interior channel 32 for continued use of the calkingcartridge 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 2A, we show a second embodiment of theinvention wherein a closed nozzle 34 is associated with a calkingcartridge 14 at the head 12 thereof in well known manner. The upper end36 may be severed from the nozzle base 38 by an angular cut 40 in wellknown manner to expose the nozzle interior channel 42 for cartridgeoperating purposes in well known manner. A modified closure 44 ofconfiguration to overfix and cooperate with the modified nozzle 34 isformed preferably of an easily moldable plastic material such aspolyethylene plastic in well known manner. The closure 44 terminatesdownwardly in a flared opening 46 to facilitate insertion of the closure44 over the nozzle base 38. The closure 44 is provided with an interiorchannel 48 of configuration to closely overfit and bind against theouter configuration of the nozzle base 38. The modified closure 44terminates upwardly in a closed end 50 which seals the upper end of theinterior channel 48 for nozzle sealing purposes. A flexible cord 52extends between the closed end 50 of the modit'led closure 44 and thebase 38 of the modified nozzle 34 to retain the closure in associationwith the nozzle 34 during all periods of cartridge use. It iscontemplated that the modified nozzle 34, the modified closure 44 andthe flexible cord 52 can all be molded of the same material at the sametime by using well-known plastic molding techniques. After the cartridge14 has been used and it is desired to close the nozzle interiorchannel42 until a future use, the modified closure 44 is applied over thenozzle base 38 by positioning the interior channel 48 of the closure 44directly over the base 38 of the nozzle 34. The flared opening 46facilitates application of the closure 44 over the nozzle base 38 forthis purpose. The closure 44 is then simply pushed downwardly toward thecartridge head 12 until a snug fit is obtained to thereby permit theclosed end 50 of the modified closure 44 to serve as a seal for thenozzle interior channel 42. The flexible cord 52 should be fabricatedlong enough to permit ready manipulation of the closure 44 with respectto the modified nozzle 34 for closure purposes.

After the cartridge 14 has been used and it is desired to close thenozzle interior channel 42 until a future use, the modified closure 44is applied over the nozzle base 38 by positioning the interior channel48 of the closing 44 directly over the base 38 of the nozzle 34. Theflared opening 46 facilitates application of the closure 44 over thenozzle base 38 for this purpose. The closure 44 is then simply pusheddownwardly toward the cartridge head 12 until a snug fit is obtained tothereby permit the closed end 50 of the modified closure 44 to serve asa seal for the nozzle interior channel 42. The flexible cord 52 shouldbe fabricated long enough to permit ready manipulation of the closure 44with respect to the mofified nozzle 34 for closure purposes.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 3A, we show the second modified closure asapplied to a modified nozzle 54. In this embodiment, the nozzle 54 isfabricated of plastic material such as polyethylene plastic in wellknown manner and is affixed to the head 12 of a calking cartridge 14also in well known manner for calking purposes. integrally formed orotherwise fabricated with the modified nozzle 54 are a plurality ofvertically spaced closure straps 56, 58, 60, each of which is affixed atits integral end 62, 64, 66 with the nozzle body and extends radiallyoutwardly therefrom. The outer end of each closure strap 56, 58, 60 isprovided with an opening 68, 70, 72 for sealing purposes as hereinaftermore fully set forth and may be provided with side construction if sodesired for nozzle closure purposes. Diametrically opposite the integralends 62, 64, 66 of the closure straps, a plurality of knobs 74, 76, 78are integrally molded or otherwise provided in the body of the modifiednozzle 54 for locking cooperation with the strap openings 68, 70, 72.

Thus, when it is desired to use the calking cartridge 14 by severing themodified nozzle 54 to detach the upper end 80 in the usual manner alongthe cut line 84 to expose the nozzle interior channel 82, the uppermostclosure strap 56, 58 or 60 available below the cut 84 can then beutilized for nozzle sealing purposes in the manner hereafter more fullyset forth. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the upper end 80 of themodified nozzle 54 is severed along the cut line 84 above the uppermostclosure strap 56, the upper closure strap 56 is then employed for nozzlesealing purposes upon completion of the calking operation. Byfabricating the closure straps 56 of thin, flexible material which maybe integrally molded, thin polyethylene plastic, thhe closure strap 56then bends diametrically over the exposed nozzle interior channel 82 toclose the channel to prevent either leakage through the open channel orto prevent the entrance of air which may harden the contents of thecalking cartridge 14. The closure side construction engages the nozzlesides to aid in this regard.

As best seen in FIG. 3A, the opening 68 of the uppermost closure strap56 applies directly over the uppermost knob 74 to lock the closure strap56 over the severed end to thereby close the interior channel 82 byemploying the body of the closure strap 56. In accordance with commonpractice, when it is desired the apply more calking material at onetime, a larger opening to the interior channel 82 may be utilized. Insuch in instance, the angular cut 84 could be taken between the uppertwo closure straps 56, 58 or if more material need be applied, theangular cut could be taken between the lower closure straps 58, 60 inwell known manner to provide an opening through the interior channel 82of desired dimensions. Should the angular cut 84 be taken intermediatethe closure straps 56, 58, then the closure strap 56 would be discardedwith the severed end 80 and the closure strap 58 would be employed toposition its opening 70 over its associated knob 76 thereby seal theinterior channel. Similarly, should the angular cut 84 be taken betweenthe closure straps 58, 60, then the interior channel 82 would be sealedby the lowermost closure strap 60 by applying its opening 52 over itsassociated knob 78 in the manner hereinbefore described. It will beappreciated that although only three closure straps have beenillustrated, more or fewer closure straps could be employed in themanner illustrated for closure purposes when so desired. It iscontemplated that the openings 68, 70, 72 will be fabricated slightlysmaller than the knobs 74, 76, 78 to discourage disassociation of aclosure strap from its cooperating knob until physically separatedtherefrom by conscious effort on the part of the operator.

If desired, an extremely tight nozzle closure can be provided byintegrally forming shaped plugs 110, 112, 1 14 which medially projectfrom the respective closure straps 56, 58, 60. The plugs 110, 112, 114are designed to substantially the same dimensions as nozzle channel 82taken along the cut line 84. As'illustrated, the plugs 110, 112, 114preferably are severed to permit limited adjustment to facilitateinsertion of the respective plugs into the nozzle channel 82.

Referring now to :FIG. 4, we show a third modified nozzle 86 which isfabricated in the manner herein before set forth for use with a calkingcartridge (not shown). A modified nozzle 88 has its upper end 98connected to the upper end 96 of the closure 86 by a short, integralarched bridge 94 in a manner to facilitate simultaneous molding of thenozzle 88, the closure 86 and the connecting bridge 94 and has its lowerend 92 connected into the calking cartridge in usual manner. In order tofacilitate placement of the closure 86 over the modified nozzle 88, theclosure terminates downwardly in a flared opening in the mannerhereinbefore set forth. Thus, when the upper end 98 of the nozzle 88 issevered for calking purposes, the modified closure 86 is then free forinsertion over the nozzle when it is desired to again closure thecartridge (not shown). It will be appreciated that the combination ofthe generally vertically disposed nozzle 88, the closure 86 and theconnecting bridge 94 form a generally inverted U- shaped constructionwhich may be employed for cartridge hanging purposes by placing thebridge 94 over a nail or hook when so desired. Accordingly, thecombination of the closure 86 and the connecting integral bridge 94serves the additional purpose of forming a hanger for calking cartridgehanging purposes.

As an added feature, the nozzle body may be molded to define a pluralityof vertically spaced, circular markings 104 which can be molded directlyinto the nozzle material to delineate drill positions to receive a drillbit of, for example, one-sixteenths inch. A similar marking 102 isapplied to the closure 86 in position to horizontally align with themarks 104 when the closure inserts over the severed nozzle 88 forcartridge closing purposes as hereinbefore more fully described. Ahanger bar 100 depends from the flared bottom of the closure 86 andpreferable is integrally molded therewith. The hanger bar 100 is formedto the same diameter as the markings 102, 104, for example,one-sixteenths of an inch and is fabricated longer than the width of theclosure 86. Thus, when it is desired to employ the bridge 94 for hangingan opened cartridge upon a nail 90, one of the markings 104 and the mark102 may be drilled to provide identical one-sixteenths of an inchopenings and the hanger bar 100 is then broken free from the bottom ofthe closure 86. The closure 86 is then inserted over the severed nozzle88 until the drilled markings 102, 104 horizontally align. The hangerbar 100 is then pushed into the aligned openings to thereby preventrelative longitudinal movement of the nozzle and closure during theperiod when the cartridge (not shown) is suspended from the nail 90. Torender the cartridge again ready for use, the hanger bar 100 is firstpulled from the aligned openings to thus allow the closure 86 to beremoved from the nozzle 88.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 1A and ID, We show the nozzle 10 and closure22 provided with integrally molded, cooperating screw threads 106, 108which are identically spiralled to facilitate threaded engagement of theclosure 22 upon the nozzle 10. Thus, when it is desired to close thenozzle interior channel 32, the closure 22 is applied over the nozzle 10and is threadedly engaged thereon until a tight fit is obtained. SeeFIG. 18. With the parts in this position, the closure 22 cannot easilybe pulled from the nozzle 10 thereby permit the ring 18 to be employedalso for hanging an opened and re-closed calking cartridge.

We claim:

1. In a calking cartridge of the type including a generally cylindricalbody having an elongate closed nozzle extending axially from one endthereof, wherein the closed end of the nozzle is severed to expose anozzle interior channel which communicates with the interior of thecalking cartridge body to permit the calking compound to exittherethrough, the combination of A. a hanger affixed to the closed endof the nozzle to suspend the calking cartridge from a fixedconstruction,

l. said hanger being integrally formed with the nozzle,

2. said nozzle being oriented in a first direction relative to the saidhanger prior to the nozzle being severed; and

B. a closure connected to the hanger,

I. said closure being integrally formed with the hanger,

2. said hanger being interposed between the nozzle and the closure,

3. said closure having an elongate body of generally hollowconfiguration to define a hollow vclosure channel having a first end anda second end,

4. said hollow closure being closed at its first end by the closureconstruction,

5. said hollow closure channel terminating at its second end in an openend to overfit the second nozzle,

6. said first end connecting to the hanger in an integral connection,

7. said hollow closure channel being of dimensions and configuration toconform to and to closely overfit the exterior periphery of the nozzleend for nozzle closing purposes,

8. the said closure overfitting the nozzle and sealing the nozzleinterior channel after it has been exposed by severing the said nozzleend,

9. the said nozzle being oriented in a second direction relative to thehanger after the closure has been applied to the nozzle for channelsealing purposes.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said closure connects to thehanger in a position angularly offset from the point of connectionbetween the hanger and the said nozzle end.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the angular offset between thenozzle connection to the hanger and the closure connection to the hangeris less than a straight angle.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the angular offset is an acuteangle.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the hanger is generally annular inconfiguration and encompasses at least a portion of a circle to definean opening for receipt therein of the said fixed construction.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the hanger defines a completecircle.

1. In a calking cartridge of the type including a generally cylindricalbody having an elongate closed nozzle extending axially from one endthereof, wherein the closed end of the nozzle is severed to expose anozzle interior channel which communicates with the interior of thecalking cartridge body to permit the calking compound to exittherethrough, the combination of A. a hanger affixed to the closed endof the nozzle to suspend the calking cartridge from a fixedconstruction,
 1. said hanger being integrally formed with the nozzle, 2.said nozzle being oriented in a first direction relative to the saidhanger prior to the nozzle being severed; and B. a closure connected tothe hanger,
 1. said closure being integrally formed with the hanger, 2.said hanger being interposed between the nozzle and the closure,
 3. saidclosure having an elongate body of generally hollow configuration todefine a hollow closure channel having a first end and a second end, 4.said hollow closure being closed at its first end by the closureconstruction,
 5. said hollow closure channel terminating at its secondend in an open end to overfit the second nozzle,
 6. said first endconnecting to the hanger in an integral connection,
 7. said hollowclosure channel being of dimensions and configuration to conform to andto closely overfit the exterior periphery of the nozzle end for nozzleclosing purposes,
 8. the said closure overfitting the nozzle and sealingthe nozzle interior channel after it has been exposed by severing thesaid nozzle end,
 9. the said nozzle being oriented in a second directionrelative to the hanger after the closure has been applied to the nozzlefor channel sealing purposes.
 2. said hanger being interposed betweenthe nozzle and the closure,
 2. said nozzle being oriented in a firstdirection relative to the said hanger prior to the nozzle being severed;and B. a closure connected to the hanger,
 2. The invention of claim 1wherein the said closure connects to the hanger in a position angularlyoffset from the point of connection between the hanger and the saidnozzle end.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the angular offsetbetween the nozzle connection to the hanger anD the closure connectionto the hanger is less than a straight angle.
 3. said closure having anelongate body of generally hollow configuration to define a hollowclosure channel having a first end and a second end,
 4. said hollowclosure being closed at its first end by the closure construction, 4.The invention of claim 3 wherein the angular offset is an acute angle.5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the hanger is generally annular inconfiguration and encompasses at least a portion of a circle to definean opening for receipt therein of the said fixed construction.
 5. saidhollow closure channel terminating at its second end in an open end tooverfit the second nozzle,
 6. said first end connecting to the hanger inan integral connection,
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the hangerdefines a complete circle.
 7. said hollow closure channel being ofdimensions and configuration to conform to and to closely overfit theexterior periphery of the nozzle end for nozzle closing purposes,
 8. thesaid closure overfitting the nozzle and sealing the nozzle interiorchannel after it has been exposed by severing the said nozzle end, 9.the said nozzle being oriented in a second direction relative to thehanger after the closure has been applied to the nozzle for channelsealing purposes.